In late 2007, the Tangipahoa Parish government began making repairs to Berry Bowl Road in Independence, Louisiana. One of the contracting firms the parish hired to complete street overlay work was Barriere Construction Company, LLC. On the evening of January 8, 2007, Joseph Alessi, Jr. struck a “bump” in the…
Articles Posted in Negligence
Ouachita Parish Car Wreck Shows Trial Court’s Role in Settling “He Said/She Said” Arguments
On October 18, 2007, Kalencia Young and her passenger, Ashley Newsome, both pregnant, were driving on DeSiard Street toward Renwick Street in Monroe. At the same time, Gerald Adams was driving toward the intersection, which was controlled by a traffic light, on Renwick Street. The two vehicles collided when Adams’s…
Berniard Law Firm Files Suit for Chalmette Refinery Catalyst Release in Ninth Ward, Other Communities
The Berniard Law Firm is look to tackle a negligent refinery by representing a Chalmette resident assaulted by chemicals released from a St. Bernard Parish oil refinery. While taking a walk through her neighborhood on the morning of September 6, 2009, the woman observed white dust covering homes and vehicles.…
East Feliciana Accident Demonstrates Importance of Children Wearing Seatbelts
On Saturday, July 24, 2010, tragedy struck in East Feliciana Parish as a 9-year-old girl died in a car accident. Reports state that the young girl, Tobiya Kato, was killed when the car driven by her mother, Jamet Kato, veered off the road and flipped before coming to a rest…
Fatal Collision in Pearl River Illustrates Elements of Semi-Truck Negligence
In Pearl River on July 9, an 18-wheel truck blew out a tire and crossed over into oncoming traffic killing four people. The accident at the Louisiana/Mississippi state line occurred when the driver of the semi was driving northbound on I-59 and lost control of the vehicle after the tire…
Summary Judgment in a Car Accident: the Complexities and Value of Police Reports/Record
Under Louisiana law, a motion for summary judgment is a procedural device that allows a court to resolve a case without a full trial when there is no “genuine issue of material fact” to be decided. See Duncan v. USAA Insurance Co., 950 So.2d 544 (La. 2006). A “genuine issue…
The Complexities of Multi-Accident Lawsuits: Court of Appeals Vacates Judgment in Avoyelles Parish Case
A very recent Louisiana Court of Appeals decision arises from a lawsuit filed by Lloyd and Dotris Bordelon to recover damages stemming from a pedestrian-vehicle accident that followed a vehicle-vehicle collision. The first accident occurred in September 2003, when John Vercher and his wife were going north on Highway One…
Orleans Parish Hospital Negligence Trial Concerns Medical Malpractice, Negligence, & Damage Caps
While many people receive much of their legal understanding from popular tv shows and movies, the fact remains that very real legal concepts are often explored. Regardless of your television preferences, the terms remain the same in real life litigation that often involves great tragedy and turmoil for all parties…
Gasoline Leak in Lincoln Parish Demonstrates the Potential Perils of Prescription
In Louisiana, actions in tort must be brought within a certain period of time after the incident occurs. This is called the “prescriptive period,” and reflects the state’s position that “a plaintiff is responsible to seek out those whom he believes may be responsible for a specific injury,” Jordan v.…
Lincoln Parish Truck Crash Demonstrates Need for Attorney Assistance
On July 24th in Lincoln Parish, two trucks collided on I-20 leaving one dead and several injured. While traveling east on I-20, a Chevy Suburban attempted to pass a GMC truck hauling a livestock trailer. The Chevy Suburban swerved right hitting the GMC truck and both vehicles ran off the…